1

Contrast:
A plain ct looks for stones. A ct urogram uses IV contrast (dye) to better evaluate the renal pelvis and ureter (the "tube" connecting your kidneys to your bladder). These structures are not well seen without contrast. A greater amount of contrast is used in a urogram than normal contrast ct to better fill these structures.
...Read more

Ct uses xrays taken an 360 degrees combined with a computer to see"inside" the body. The table moves as the xray tube and detectors spin around the patient 10 times a second or more! the image shows excellent soft tissue detail, enhanced with injection of intravenous contrast or oral contrast. This way the body is shown in slices, in any plane, usually axially, but often coronal or saggital.
...Read more

4

Contrast:
A plain ct looks for stones. A ct urogram uses IV contrast (dye) to better evaluate the renal pelvis and ureter (the "tube" connecting your kidneys to your bladder). These structures are not well seen without contrast.
...Read more

5

Different tests:
An MRI uses an atom's response to a strong magnetic field. A CT uses X-rays. The X-rays won't pass through the contrary, so it creates a shadow. No such effect occurs because of the magnetic field.
...Read more

6

Evaluate other areas:
Cystoscopy and cystoureteroscopy are very good at looking at the inside of the bladder, ureters and renal collecting systems. Ct urogram looks there as well, but also evaluates the "outsides" (the parts that cannot be seen with a scope) of these structure and the other structures in the abdomen and pelvis.
...Read more

7

No:
No, stones that passed out of the body are gone. It will show any remaining stones. There may temporarily be some residual signs of the obstruction caused by the stone, however. Also, if an infection has resolved, the CT might temporarily show some residual signs of the infection, but will otherwise be normal unless the infection resulted in scarring of the kidney.
...Read more

8

Can create confusion:
On CT, Deflux is fluid density & occasionally can calcify creating confusion with ureterocele or distal ureteral stone at the bladder base ureterovesicular junction. If the ct urogram (workup for hematuria) interpreting radiologist is not aware of this pertinent history of prior injection, it may create some confusion in interpretatation. Make sure to Inform the radiologist about this history!
...Read more

9

Not often:
Retro peritoneal attenuation is and unusual term on ct. CT is usually very good at detecting enlarged lymph nodes of lymphoma . And understand that not all lymphomas will be best seen with PET. Also not every positive PET CT is cancer. There are other disease entities that are positve on PET. Talk honestly with the doctor to wxplain the results
...Read more

10

Here are some...:
Most likely, the reported finding on CT Urogram is merely incidental and carries no clinical importance. As a F/U for a peace of mind, repeating a CT in a year is reasonable. Of course, the most logical timing of F/U should be deduced with working closely with your treating doc since she/he surely knows more pertinent information about you.
...Read more